Quantum Units Education®

Supporting Pregnant Domestic Violence Survivors in Shelters

1. A doula may provide services in a hospital, birth center, or home, and ideally joins the expectant mother:

A. Late in the first trimester

B. Early in the second trimester

C. Late in the second trimester

D. Early in the third trimester

2. The woman’s prenatal care provider may be able to offer support by allowing the advocate and doula to meet with the survivor during her medical appointments to ensure proper planning for a safe birth, free from the threats, presence, or violence of the abuser.

A. True

B. False

3. However pregnant women come to be in a domestic violence shelter, it is the goal of both doulas and advocates to:

A. Share information that responds to and respects each pregnant woman’s needs and desires.

B. Consider her concerns for physical safety and emotional well-being.

C. Help her achieve positive outcomes.

D. All of the above.

4. Warning signs of abuse that a doula may see when visiting with expectant couples in their home may include:

A. The abusive partner shaming or humiliating the woman.

B. Making hurtful remarks about her changing body and appearance.

C. Speaking for her and not allowing her to answer or respond on her own.

D. Any of the above.

5. Doulas are which of the following?

A. Support and advocacy providers

B. Medical professionals

C. Bound by practice laws

D. Trained to help women deliver their babies

6. In order to best serve women with a history of abuse, a doula should work with an expectant mother to identify and understand ways that any past or present domestic violence trauma might impact the pregnancy, birth experience, and postpartum recovery.

A. True

B. False

7. A visceral reaction may be triggered by the lack of control and invasiveness a pregnant or birthing abuse survivor may feel during labor and delivery due to all of the following, except:

A. An internal vaginal exam or birth.

B. The baby in the vagina at birth.

C. Lack of sleep and/or proper nutrition.

D. The presence of medical professionals or an abuser.

8. Which of the following is not one of the four basic tenets for doulas to consider when attending a birth, that may be particularly important for survivors of domestic violence or other forms of abuse?

A. Make sure she is comforted, prepared, and heard.

B. Ask people to leave that she does not want at the birth and seek assistance from hospital or birth center personnel if needed.

C. Encourage the survivor to review the birth plan with her prenatal care provider as early as possible to ensure any requested accommodations can be made.

D. Watch for triggers or signs that she might become upset or distressed, and then work to mitigate those issues.

9. Careful domestic violence safety planning will be particularly important for the survivor whose partner:

A. Has threatened to kidnap or harm the baby.

B. Is trying to force her to return to the relationship.

C. Is forcing her to keep a baby whom she has determined she cannot adequately care for or does not want to keep.

D. All of the above.

10. Survivors will more likely feel comfortable and follow up on a warm referral when advocates can give them a specific individual to contact.